Meet 17-year-old fashion enthusiast and sneakerhead Cee Vee (@itsalfoebanjo), part-time artist and full-time student.
Who inspires your daily outfits and personal style?
Cee Vee: Teenage Netflix series, movies, music videos, musicians and Pinterest.” Your current favourite sneaker? “Balenciaga Triple S is my all time favourite. However, from my current collection, it is the Nike Air Max 720 because other than the comfort, the details of the shoe and the design is not really extreme but it reflects a robotic look and feel. It is simple and can be paired up with literally anything.
How much do you know about the sneaker and streetwear in India and where do you gather your information and news on what’s happening in India from?
Cee Vee: I think it is growing rapidly, good sneakers and great outfits are seen everywhere on the streets now. We have pushed away from looking alike and fashion is not for the few anymore… it is more inclusive and interesting with everyone involved. We are more expressive about our fashion now more than ever. Regarding news and information, it’s always been Instagram.
Top three favourite brands?
Cee Vee: @zara for affordability and access to current trends without burning a hole in the pocket. @nike for sportswear, sneakers, athleisure, and most of all, innovation. @thehundreds for brand identity and super cool clothes.
Where do you shop your sneakers from?
Cee Vee: I have friends who live in other countries who get me sneakers that don’t release here or are hard to find. Online order and also,VegNonVeg.
Is it pressure to look a certain way, buy more clothes and own the latest sneakers due to social media?
Cee Vee: Well, although I use social media a lot. I am not easily swayed by the latest trends or the latest drop. I do it for me and not for approval from others or to look like anyone. If you are confident about who you are, if fashion and sneakers aren’t the only things defining you, then you’re not going to feel the pressure of social media to buy the latest and to show off the latest. You should be more than clothes and shoes and social media.
You showed us some of your artwork, your paintings on sneakers and clothes… would you want to pursue it as a career? Do you think it has a future here in India…
Cee Vee: I am into fantasy art and if you see my paintings, you will notice that it is all about galaxies and magical stuff or portraits. My paintings are always somewhere in the middle of realistic and animated art. Artist such as Wendy Ortiz and Margaret Tarrant inspire me. I am not really sure if I will take up fine arts in the future. However, I think there are higher chances that I would do something related to arts. Maybe in the near future but right now there are more opportunities and career options for artists in other countries. I am pretty positive about the future for artists in this country esp. if we look at the youth of today. They are paving their own way without waiting on others to do it for them. People are making careers out of their hobbies and talents. However, I still think I need to move, push my boundaries and go to different places.
